You Can Take the Teacher Out of the Classroom...But She Will Just Keep On Teaching!

Yes, I'm a teacher by day, moonlighting as a sommelier at night.  Sometimes people give me a funny look, and I know they are wondering if educating students and enjoying wine may actually be a conflict of interests.  However, for several reasons, I say no!  The biggest reason it isn't a conflict is because I don't necessarily think of myself as a sommelier that is a wine expert.  (In fact, the more I learn about wine, the more I know I don't know, and the more I want to learn about wine.)  Instead, I consider myself a wine educator.  My favorite job as a sommelier is to teach other people about wine.  For years, many in my generation have been intimidated or scared of wine.  We grew up drinking beer, and though there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, it's left many people nervous about looking silly when consuming wine.  I love to take this "mystery" out of wine for drinkers by teaching them what the terms mean, how fermentation works, and why labels say what they say.  This knowledge of wine takes the unknown element out of wine, making it more likely that these now-educated people will drink more wine!  It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.  Consumers know more about wine and will enjoy wine more, and I get to keep teaching about one of my favorite subjects!  So, Tuesday, when I am teaching a section of my Wine 101 class, there is no conflict to be found, just more wine lovers waiting to learn!

Boom! Not Bust!

I live in a small town in Wyoming on the edge of the Black Hills.  Yes, you all heard me correctly...a trained sommelier in Wyoming!  (Believe me, stranger things have happened.)  I live in a magnificently beautiful state, filled with multiple natural resources, resources that have often caused our local economies to boom during the good times only to bust during bad times.  But today, I'm thinking about a different type of boom here in Wyoming and South Dakota, different than a natural resource boom.  I'm talking about the booming wine industry!  Wyoming and the Black Hills have always been a bit behind the times, and that is probably true of the wine business.  However, we are quickly catching up!  Interest in wine is growing to new heights in this area, and I love it!  Three new wine bars recently opened in Spearfish, SD.  One even opened in Sturgis, SD, better known for its biker babes in August than its grape varietals.  The Black Hills has its own wine trail, including several wineries and tasting rooms.  Wyoming grows grapes and makes wine in several different locations.  Liquor stores all throughout the Black Hills are expanding their wine sections as consumers want more selections to choose from and a higher quality of the selections already available.  Some friends of mine just purchased a small liquor store and have plans to continue the wine boom.  I'm leaving town to travel through beautiful Spearfish Canyon after work to enjoy my Friday evening at the Spearfish Creek Wine Bar.  Oh, there may be liquid gold in these there hills, and I hope to see the boom keep going!  All boom, no bust...I'll drink to that!

Summer Summer Summer Time!

Summer has finally shown itself in the Black Hills...thankfully!  It was a cold snowy winter followed by a cold snowy/rainy spring!  But this weekend, the sun is out, the school year is over, and the summer feels as if it has begun.  I love summer and summer wines!  Wine on the patio on a summer evening.  Wine paired with grilled meat off the barbecue.  Wine paired with friends in the hot tub.  Wine made into sangria and mimosas.  The smell of the season makes me happy.  Time to relax and be rejuvenated makes me even happier!  So cheers to summer and summer wines!  And cheers to all of you!